Study examines convention centers' Wi-Fi offeringsSuccessful Meetings Share Currently, 23 percent of convention centers offer free Wi-Fi in all areas of the building, finds a new wireless Internet study from the International
Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). More

Affordable Meetings News

Preliminary program for HSMAI's MEET National releasedHSMAI Share Moving away from the traditional classroom setting, planners from across the meeting and event industry can learn from and interact with industry experts and each other while getting hands-on experience
with some of the new educational formats offering great takeaways at HSMAI's MEET National, Sept. 7-8, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The preliminary program for a full view of the education and events taking place at HSMAI's MEET National. More

Meeting and Event Technology

Smartphones at meetings: The way to engage attendees nowMeetingsNet Share Interactive technology at events is changing by the minute, so writing an article about the latest and greatest is risky at best. But we’ll give it a go,
with the help of André Mika, senior vice president, digital creative, at event marketing agency TBA Global. Hot at the moment? Location-based services and QR codes.More

Make your next convention unconventional.Plan an extraordinary event at Utah Valley’s new Convention Center. With accessible locations, affordable
amenities and incredible experiences, Utah Valley is perfect for any event.MORE

Travelport defends GDS ability to sell ancillariesTravel Market Report Share "Absolute posturing" is how Gordon Wilson, chief executive officer of Travelport, characterized the charge that GDS companies cannot accommodate "personalization" of airline offers. The new Travelport
chief was responding to suggestions from American Airlines and Open AXIS Group that GDSs do not have the wherewithal to tailor product offerings to travelers based on their status and history with the airline.More

Grand EntrancesBe prepared to experience a relaxing atmosphere where service and attention to detail are taken care of seamlessly, so you too can enjoy our Nation’s Capital. The St Gregory Hotel, Washington DC offers a unique venue and a comprehensive “Value Enhanced Meetings" Package program, purely focusing on getting it right, so you can
simply
enjoy. More on Value Enhanced Meetings….Read MORE

Study cites environmental benefits of smaller,
lighter flat-screen TVsGreen Lodging News Share The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) issued a report detailing the dramatic reduction of TV and computer
monitor sizes and weights since the advent of flat-panel monitors and TVs. The report, Materials Footprint Reduction of Televisions and Computer Monitors: 2004-2010, found flat-panel TVs are 82 percent lighter and 75 percent smaller than their cathode ray tube (CRT) TV predecessors of a similar screen size. The report also found today's 40- to 70-inch flat-panel TVs weigh 34 percent less than 13- to 36-inch CRT TVs.More

Q and A with green meeting guru,
Bridget ChisholmPrevue Share Following five years of planning meetings and conventions worldwide for the North American Association for Environmental Education, Bridget Chisholm now
operates her own company in Washington, DC specializing in Green Meetings: BBC Planning Inc. Prevue talked with her to learn more about her vision of the future for sustainable events, both large and small.More

In Other News

Congress reaches deal, ends FAA shutdownSuccessful Meetings Share The U.S. Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement that will end a two-week partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced. The FAA partially shut down on July 23 when Congress failed to renew legislation to reauthorize FAA operations. The stalemate - the result of disagreements between Democrats and Republicans about funding levels, unions and rural air service
subsidies - put 74,000 federal and private-sector employees out of work and cost the federal government approximately $30 million a day in uncollected airline ticket taxes, or a total of about $400 million.More

Commentary: Co-creation has its limitsMeetingsNet Share A co-creation session during Meeting Professionals International's World Education Congress last month generated some useful feedback on the association's research agenda, but pointed to the perils of
relying too heavily on any community or customer group to come up with all its own answers.More

Planner-geek's multiple talents fuel success as an independentTravel Market Report Share Being able to "do it all" as a meetings professional is an excellent way to maintain an independent planning business - especially during tough economic times. Just ask Euclid Strayhorn, CMP, a true jack of all trades in the meetings world. More